New Source of Replacement Brain Cells Found

[TechBear_Seattle]

Someone, alert the President and get him prepped for surgery, stat!

Scientists have found that a common type of human brain cell can transform into other cell types and reproduce indefinitely—tricks once thought exclusive to stem cells.

The mature human brain cells were extracted from epilepsy patients and coaxed into other types of brain cells in a lab. The human cells also transformed into different types of brain tissue when transplanted into the brains of mice.

The cells were maintained for nearly a year without showing signs of aging or of mutations associated with cancer cells. The researchers predict that one cell could give rise to 10 quadrillion brain cells—enough to replace every cell in about 50 million adult brains.

The full article can be found at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20060816/sc_space/newsourceofreplacementbraincellsfound

Any bets on how long before the religious right starts screaming about protecting unborn brain cells from intrusive science?

[medeak]

1. thanks for this and kicking n/t

[SteppingRazor]

2. Oh thank fucking God...

I'm on my last one. :crazy:

[unpossibles]

3. me too

I think I may have "culled the herd" a bit too much back in the day...

this is good news though - does this mean the Republicons won't have to search for new braincells up their own poop-chutes now?

[arcane1]

4. the religious right doesn't care about brain cells

they probably deny their existence

[medeak]

5. hopefully won't have to travel to Israel or China

or Germany ect... we are way behind in the world of research for Parkinsons' (husband suffers)

[Sinti]

6. This is excellent news, all levity aside

There are so many applications for this kind of medical advancement. WOW! Brain-based disorders are very nearly incurable ATM, this is like a watershed moment. I just hope they use their power wisely, and don't suffer interference from the Pro Ignorance crowd. :)

[Turn CO Blue]

7. Really good news! Bookmarking. n/t

[stevedeshazer]

8. That's a tremendous breakthrough, if it pans out.

But, as you infer, soon the RWers will figure out a way to scare people into opposing it.